B.C. seeks to appeal DRIPA ruling in top court, says 'core democratic values' at risk
VICTORIA -- A First Nations leader says the British Columbia government wants amendments that propose a "gutting" of its own reconciliation legislation.
Wolfgang Depner
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B.C. asks top court to hear DRIPA appeal, saying 'core democratic values' at stake
VICTORIA -- British Columbia has applied to the Supreme Court of Canada to hear an appeal against a landmark court ruling that found the province's mineral claims regime was "inconsistent" with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, embodied in a provincial law known as DRIPA.
Former Conservative leader John Rustad might be running for his old job: report
Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he will "make himself available" to talk about a potential bid for his old job next week when the legislature resumes in Victoria. Rustad says he has "no comment" about a report, which says he has received and requested a leadership application, but promises to discuss the issue when the legislative session starts...
Former Conservative leader John Rustad might be running for his old job: report
VICTORIA -- Former B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad says he will "make himself available" to talk about a potential bid for his old job next week when the legislature resumes in Victoria.
10 candidates in B.C. Conservative leadership race as Banman and Kooner join field
VICTORIA -- B.C. Conservative MLAs Bruce Banman and Steve Kooner are joining the contest to lead the party, pushing the field of candidates into double digits.
B.C. minister is 'cautiously optimistic' Ottawa will help after Fraser Valley floods
VICTORIA -- British Columbia's emergencies minister says she's cautiously optimistic about securing federal funding to prevent future flooding in the Abbotsford region, as she prepares to head to Ottawa with the city's mayor.
Former MP Findlay joins B.C. Conservative race amid donation row
Former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay has joined the race to lead the Conservative Party of B.C., immediately joining the fray over who is conservative enough for the job. Findlay, who is married to Conservative MLA Brent Chapman, says in a statement she is running because she doesn't want former B.C. Liberals to take over the party, saying they are pursuing...
Former MP Findlay joins B.C. Conservative race amid donation row
VICTORIA -- Former federal MP Kerry-Lynne Findlay has joined the race to lead the Conservative Party of B.C., immediately joining the fray over who is conservative enough for the job.
First Nation leader urges B.C. to maintain DRIPA as Eskay Creek mine deal is signed
VICTORIA -- The president of the Tahltan Central Government says British Columbia shouldn't change its Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, just as the First Nation and the provincial government celebrate a landmark agreement based on the legislation.
Why two skulls unearthed in B.C. could be harbingers for future archeological woes
Last June, landscapers working on a site in Kamloops, B.C., came upon a troubling discovery -- two human skulls and jawbones.
No possession arrests without 'extenuating circumstances': head of B.C. police chiefs
VICTORIA -- The president of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police says people will not be arrested for possession of small amounts of drugs after the end of decriminalization on Jan. 31, "unless there are extenuating circumstances."
Premier Eby says new markets, reforms will help forestry, but results will take time
VICTORIA -- Premier David Eby says a recent agreement advancing wood construction in China will deliver results for the forestry industry in British Columbia, but also acknowledges that it will take "time, energy and commitment" to create a sustainable industry.
B.C. energy minister Dix says North Coast Transmission Line will boost LNG project
British Columbia's Energy Minister Adrian Dix says an agreement between BC Hydro and the Nisga'a First Nation will help power a planned floating LNG terminal in northwestern B.C. across the finish line.
Energy minister Dix says North Coast Transmission Line will facilitate LNG project
British Columbia's energy minister Adrian Dix says an agreement between BC Hydro and the Nisga'a First Nation will help power a planned floating LNG terminal in northwestern B.C. across the finish line.
B.C. postponing changes to heritage act to increase consultation, says minister
VICTORIA -- Forests Minister Ravi Parmar says the B.C. government is postponing changes to the law that governs the designation and protection of heritage sites, because it needs more time to consult with First Nations, industry and other groups.
B.C. First Nations raise alarm over Chilcotin River landslide risk
First Nations in British Columbia's central Interior are sounding the alarm over landslide risk along the same stretch of the Chilcotin River where a massive slide blocked the waterway for several days in the summer of 2024.
Conservative MLA Sheldon Clare says leadership rules meant to stop 'funny business'
VICTORIA -- A leadership candidate for British Columbia's Conservatives says recently announced rules for the contest are intended to stop "any funny business" following last year's leadership review that was marred by fraud allegations.
B.C. Conservatives unveil leadership race rules as Peter Milobar joins growing field
British Columbia's Conservative Party has unveiled rules for its leadership race that include $115,000 in fees for contestants, who must sign a pledge to support the eventual winner set to be announced at the end of May. The rules say voting under a preferential ballot system will be held from May 9 to May 30, while the deadline for nominations...
B.C. Conservatives unveil leadership race rules as Peter Milobar joins growing field
VICTORIA -- British Columbia's Conservative Party has unveiled rules for its leadership race that include $115,000 in fees for contestants, who must sign a pledge to support the eventual winner set to be announced at the end of May.
Peter Milobar joins growing field in B.C. Conservative leadership race
VICTORIA -- Peter Milobar, the finance critic for the opposition B.C. Conservatives, is joining the race to lead the party.
Coastal First Nations call on Carney to defend the B.C. tanker ban in pipeline talks
PRINCE RUPERT -- Coastal First Nations president Marilyn Slett says she called on Prime Minister Mark Carney in a meeting Tuesday to maintain and protect the oil tanker moratorium in his government's pipeline talks with Alberta.
Carney meets with Coastal First Nations to talk about major projects, oceans
PRINCE RUPERT -- Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday his meeting with Coastal First Nations in Prince Rupert, B.C. is about "dialogue" and exploring how First Nations can partner with the federal government to build the economy.
Fulmer says B.C. Conservatives must be a grand coalition as he enters leadership race
Yuri Fulmer said the Conservative Party of B.C. needs to be a "grand coalition" that refrains from "undisciplined" behaviour if it wants to govern, as he becomes the first high-profile candidate to run for the party's leadership. Fulmer, the chancellor of Capilano University who made his fortune with fast food franchises, said that means that the Conservatives have to "welcome...
Fulmer says B.C. Conservatives must be a grand coalition as he enters leadership race
VICTORIA -- Yuri Fulmer said the Conservative Party of B.C. needs to be a "grand coalition" that refrains from "undisciplined" behaviour if it wants to govern, as he becomes the first high-profile candidate to run for the party's leadership.
Yuri Fulmer running to lead B.C. Conservatives, website reveals
VICTORIA -- Vancouver entrepreneur Yuri Fulmer is running for the leadership of the Conservative Party of B.C., with his campaign website going live in advance of an official announcement that's expected this week.
Harman Bhangu says he will 'most likely' run for leadership of B.C. Conservatives
VICTORIA -- B.C. Conservative MLA Harman Bhangu says he will "most likely" run for the leadership of the provincial Opposition party, if the yet-to-be-released rules for the race are to his liking.
Noah beats Oliver as most popular name for B.C. babies in 2025: province
VICTORIA -- The British Columbia government says Noah was the most popular name for babies in 2025, beating out Oliver, which had topped the list last year.
9.0 quake in B.C. would kill thousands and cost $128 billion, report foresees
VICTORIA -- A British Columbia government report foresees more than 3,400 fatalities and more than 10,000 injuries if an earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 strikes off Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Island MP Aaron Gunn won't run for leadership of B.C. Conservatives
Vancouver Island MP Aaron Gunn says he won't run for the leadership of the Conservative Party of B.C. because he doesn't want to risk giving the federal Liberals a majority government. Gunn says his departure could "upend the balance of power in Ottawa" and leaving would be too great a risk as Prime Minister Mark Carney continues to pursue a...
Vancouver Island MP Aaron Gunn won't run for leadership of B.C. Conservatives
VICTORIA -- Vancouver Island MP Aaron Gunn said he won't run for the leadership of the Conservative Party of B.C. because he doesn't want to risk giving the federal Liberals a majority government.
B.C. mills processed more than one million cubic metres of wildfire chips in 2024-25
VICTORIA -- The British Columbia government says cutting red tape has allowed provincial pulp mills to more than double their use of timber salvaged from forest fires.
B.C. Conservative leadership race will present new vision, unify members: Halford
It was a surreal moment on a day full of such moments. Trevor Halford walked into the main chamber of the British Columbia legislature on Dec. 3 as interim leader of his Conservative Party of B.C., following an appointment by the party board. Hours earlier, 20 Conservative MLAs had released a letter in which they said that they had lost...
B.C. Conservative leadership race will present new vision, unify members: Halford
VICTORIA -- It was a surreal moment on a day full of such moments.
B.C.'s David Eby 'not seeking' 2026 election, after year that tested NDP coalition
It should have been a very bad day for David Eby's government. But on Dec. 3, the morning after the pending closure of the pulp mill in Crofton, B.C., was announced with the loss of 350 jobs, the political focus was on the leadership saga in the Opposition B.C. Conservatives, as 20 of the party's MLAs called on then-leader John...
B.C.'s David Eby 'not seeking' 2026 election, after year that tested NDP coalition
VICTORIA -- It should have been a very bad day for David Eby's government.
Ex-grocery executive, Jones, says customer is boss as he eyes B.C. Conservative job
VICTORIA -- Former grocery executive Darrell Jones said he plans to apply lessons learned from B.C. billionaire Jimmy Pattison to the political world as he considers running for the leadership of the provincial Conservatives.
Ex-grocery boss Jones says customer is boss as he eyes B.C. Conservative leadership
VICTORIA -- Former grocery executive Darrell Jones says he plans to apply lessons learned from B.C. billionaire Jimmy Pattison to the political world as he considers running for the leadership of the provincial Conservatives.
Dew won't seek B.C. Conservative leadership, says party can't chase 'squirrels'
VICTORIA -- Kelowna, B.C., MLA Gavin Dew says he doesn't want to lead the B.C. Conservatives, citing family reasons.
OneBC party split over staffer's 'disgusting' views on Jews, says ex-leader Brodie
VICTORIA -- British Columbia legislator Dallas Brodie, whose OneBC party has removed her as leader, says the split happened after colleagues tried to stop her from firing a caucus staffer whose views on Jewish people were "disgusting" and antisemitic.
OneBC party split over staffer's 'disgusting' views on Jews, says ex-leader Brodie
Victoria -- British Columbia legislator Dallas Brodie, whose OneBC party has removed her as leader, said the split happened after colleagues tried to stop her from firing a caucus staffer whose views on Jewish people were "disgusting" and antisemitic.
15 extortion suspects are seeking refugee status, Canada's border agency says
The Canada Border Services Agency says 15 foreigners facing extortion charges have applied for refugee status in Canada.
B.C. Housing Minister Boyle rejects calls for repeal of high-density housing laws
VICTORIA -- A coalition of municipalities in British Columbia is calling on the province to repeal housing legislation designed to increase supply through higher density, but the housing minister says there's no going "backward."
Former B.C. premier Clark says Conservatives cannot be 'kooky' if they want to govern
Former British Columbia premier Christy Clark says "nobody wants to elect a government that is kooky" as the B.C. Conservatives embark on a leadership contest, urging them to focus on economic issues. Clark posted on social media on Tuesday that she would "always be grateful for the chance to serve," in a message marking the 15th anniversary of her running...
Former B.C. premier Clark says Conservatives cannot be 'kooky' if they want to govern
VICTORIA -- Former British Columbia premier Christy Clark says "nobody wants to elect a government that is kooky" as the B.C. Conservatives embark on a leadership contest, urging them to focus on economic issues.
Eby rejects a recall of the legislature, will amend, not repeal UN Indigenous Act
VICTORIA -- Opposition politicians and a business group are urging the British Columbia government to recall the legislature in order to repeal the Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples Act after the province's Appeal Court ruled in favour of Indigenous groups over the mineral claims regime.
Indigenous Act can be repealed in days if Eby recalls legislature: Opposition leader
VICTORIA -- The interim leader of the Conservative Party of B.C. says the Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples Act can be repealed in a few days, if Premier David Eby immediately recalls the provincial legislature.
Soccer official with Iranian ties says he is shocked national team won't play in B.C.
VICTORIA -- Babak Shabazi says he and others in B.C.'s Iranian community were "shocked" when he saw that Iran's national soccer team won't play in Vancouver during the next year's World Cup, and many are worried about travelling to the United States to see their favourite team because of political tensions.
John Rustad quits as B.C. Conservative leader to avoid 'civil war'
VICTORIA -- After a messy and confusing endgame, John Rustad's leadership of the Conservative Party of B.C. is finally over — but the battle over the ideological direction of the party that he took to the brink of power may be entering a new phase.
Some B.C. Conservatives say 'incapacitated' Rustad out as leader. But others disagree
The B.C. Conservative Party announced that John Rustad was "removed" as leader of the Opposition on Wednesday and a caucus vote had installed Trevor Halford as interim leader after 20 MLAs representing a caucus majority said they had lost confidence in Rustad and wanted him out. But if Rustad's opponents thought that was the end of the matter they were...
Some B.C. Conservatives say 'incapacitated' Rustad out as leader. But others disagree
VICTORIA -- The B.C. Conservative Party announced that John Rustad was "removed" as leader of the Opposition on Wednesday and a caucus vote had installed Trevor Halford as interim leader after 20 MLAs representing a caucus majority said they had lost confidence in Rustad and wanted him out.
B.C. Conservatives say 'professionally incapacitated' Rustad removed as leader
The B.C. Conservative Party says John Rustad has been "removed" as leader of the Opposition and a caucus vote has installed MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader. The announcement comes after 20 MLAs representing a majority of Rustad's caucus said they had lost confidence in him and wanted him out, but he refused to resign and said there was no...
B.C. Conservatives say 'professionally incapacitated' Rustad removed as leader
VICTORIA -- The B.C. Conservative Party says John Rustad has been "removed" as leader of the Opposition and a caucus vote has installed MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader.
B.C. Conservatives say 'professionally incapacitated' Rustad removed as leader
The B.C. Conservative Party says John Rustad has been "removed" as leader of the Opposition and a caucus vote has installed MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader.
Confidence bill on Mental Health Act passes through B.C. legislature
VICTORIA -- The B.C. New Democrat government has survived a confidence vote over its changes to the Mental Health Act that reduce the legal exposure of health care workers who deliver involuntary care to patients.
B.C. requires witness for those using supply drugs to stop diversion to streets
VICTORIA -- Rules are being tightened for British Columbia's overdose-prevention safe supply program to require a witness when a user takes their drugs in an effort to stop the pills from being sold on the streets.
First Nations leader says pipeline MOU changes nothing, tanker ban is non-negotiable
The president of the Coastal First Nations in British Columbia says the signing of a memorandum of understanding by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on an proposed oil pipeline to the West Coast "does nothing" to increase the chances it will happen. Marilyn Slett says in a statement that a tanker ban on the north coast...
Review of B.C.'s emissions strategy says LNG push threatens to wipe out cuts
VICTORIA -- A report commissioned by British Columbia's government says its pursuit of new natural gas projects "threatens to set back progress" reducing greenhouse emissions, with B.C. set to fail its 2030 target.
Premier Eby tells Carney it's unacceptable B.C. has been cut out of pipeline talks
VICTORIA -- For a project he says "doesn't actually exist," there was a lot British Columbia Premier David Eby had to say about a potential pipeline from Alberta to B.C.'s northern coast, in a phone call with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday.
Speaker's vote gets northern power line through B.C. legislature by slimmest margin
VICTORIA -- Legislation to fast-track construction of a northern power line has squeaked through the British Columbia legislature thanks to the speaker's deciding vote, after Premier David Eby staked his government on the bill.
B.C. abandons EV rebates to the Feds as it scraps sales mandate of 100% by 2035
VICTORIA -- British Columbia has abandoned a rebate program for electric vehicles that it paused six months ago and is scrapping a mandate that every new vehicle sold in the province must be zero-emission by 2035, as Energy Minister Adrian Dix shifted goal-setting, cash incentives and blame for high electric-vehicle prices to Ottawa.